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In Memory and in Gratitude

As I made my way through this last week, I reflected on what had happened exactly a year ago - my weekend visit and stay at home and my dad's passing away at that visit. This particular week (with its days and dates), this year too is lined up very similar to last year's and it has been a week of retracing last year's steps as I made my way home to be with the family.

 To our father who is now in heaven! A year has gone by and it has been an "unusual" experience to have to do some of the year activities without you. As much as we'd look forward to the visits to our home, the realisation that you're not there has been saddening. We have sat around the dinner table and felt "one more of us" should come only to realise it will not be so. We mourned and grieved, but the best thought has been that you're home and at rest. The Book tells of the ancients who passed on to the next life as being "gathered" to their people. That expression of being "gathered" to one's people has taken on a new appreciation as we think about you. You are not with us, but not in the company of strangers either, but with people you belong to. We look forward to a homecoming reunion someday. 

 To our Father who is in heaven! May your name be revered and as your will unfolds may we learn to hold on in the midst of all that we feel. Thank you for your faithfulness, sustaining us through your love in our year of grief. Thank you for those who have come around us to strengthen us in our time of need. For the peace that we have in the midst of all circumstances, we are grateful.

To our "fathers" in heaven, may you take pride as you watch us grow!
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